Developmental changes in high-affinity uptake of GABA by cultured neurons

• Published in: Neurochemical research 1989-03, Vol.14 (3), p.229-233
• Main Authors: BALCAR, V. J, HAUSER, K. L, DEMIEVILLE, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetanilides - pharmacology; Amino Acids - pharmacology; Amino Acids, Cyclic; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cells, Cultured; Central nervous system; Central neurotransmission. Neuromudulation. Pathways and receptors; Cerebral Cortex - cytology; Cerebral Cortex - drug effects; Cerebral Cortex - metabolism; Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids - pharmacology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - pharmacokinetics; Rats; Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
• ISSN: 0364-3190; 1573-6903
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00971315

High-affinity uptake of [3H]gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was studied in cultures of neonatal rat cortical neurons grown on pre-formed monolayers of non-neuronal (glial) cells. Both the maximum rate (Vmax) and, to a smaller extent, the Km of [3H]GABA uptake increased with time. In addition, in parallel with these changes, 2,4-diaminobutyric acid and cis-3-aminocyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (ACHC), compounds which are considered typical substrate/inhibitors of GABA uptake in neurons, became progressively stronger inhibitors of [3H]GABA uptake. Consequently, the present results may mean that the studies using uptake of [3H]GABA, [3H]ACHC, or [3H]DABA as a specific marker for GABAergic neurons differentiating during the ontogenetic development of the central nervous system may have to be interpreted with caution.